Football Review – Winners And Losers By Opta Jabu

Opta Jabu combs through the numbers to bring out the biggest winners and losers from this weekend’s domestic football action.

Winners

Peter Shalulile A Centurion – Winner

September 2020 may prove to be one of the most pivotal months in the recent history of South African football. That month alone saw three things happen that, when isolated, may seem innocuous. Chiefs lost the league in the final 30 minutes of the season. Sundowns signed Peter Shalulile. Pitso Mosimane departed for Al Ahly. The trajectory of the local football landscape could have been altogether different had one of those not come to pass. As Downs had just won their 3rd consecutive title, many (non-Sundowns) fans hoped this period was the beginning of a new era. Yet, it merely marked the halfway stage of their present dominance, which shows little sign of abating. Of all the signings made by Sundowns in recent years (there have been many), none has been as important as that of Peter Shalulile that month. One wonders how the last three seasons would have been had he joined Chiefs or Pirates.

Convincing a club that had already won three straight league titles that your signature is worth the time and effort is one challenge. Living up to the hype and expectations of the same club is another. Three seasons in, Peter Shalulile has already done both and repaid the trust placed in him by management. In a squad that was already stacked with superstars like Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino & others, outshining everyone in such a short period of time is easier to say than do. The Namibian has stepped up to the plate, and his consistent goals are the thread in the countless records Sundowns have set and/or broken over the years. It may still continue.

That his 100th goal came in a crunch quarter-final clash away to Algerian opposition is symbolic. His century of goals includes the 27 he scored at Highlands Park, and that should not be forgotten. Less than three years since leaving them, he now needs only to walk into a room to evoke an aura that only a few of the most fearsome strikers in PSL history have ever attained.

197 – Of the seven players with 100+ goals in PSL history, Peter Shalulile is the first player to reach the landmark in less than 200 games (197).

Orlando Pirates Discovering Their Spark – Winner

It has been a long time since Orlando Pirates fans could be proud of their team. If the few recent Cup runs have provided some green shoots, their current league form can be classified as blossoming. Soon, there could be some fruit for Happy People to enjoy. Pirates have won five consecutive league games for the first time since January 2020 under Josef Zinnbauer (6 in a row).

0 – Only three Pirates coaches in PSL history (Roy Barreto in 2002, Ruud Krol in 2011 and Josef Zinnbauer in 2020) have gone on longer winning runs in the league than Jose Riveiro (5).

Stellenbosch’s Home Form – Winner

When they lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune on 14 January, Stellies were left just three points above the relegation zone. They are well and truly safe now, after another home win meaning they have dropped just two points at home in that time. The defence may be leaky (this was just their 5th clean sheet), but they have real firepower up front.

15 – Mendieta (8) + Rayners (7) are the two leading assist-makers in the league.

Pirates’ Lucky Charms – Winner

Lucky charm 1: Terrence Dzvukamanja

Not only is Terrence Dzvukamanja enjoying his best scoring season in the league across both Wits and Pirates stints (he’s up to 5 league goals now), but he’s also brought his lucky charm along.

100% – Dzvukamanja has won 100% of the league matches he’s scored in (13 in 12 wins); the best 100% record of any player in PSL history.

Lucky charm 2: Monnapule Saleng

Saleng is now the league leader for goal contributions this season (15), and is the first Pirates player to score 10+ league goals in a single PSL season since Gabadinho Mhango in 2019/20.

100% – Saleng has won 100% of the league matches he’s scored in (10 in 8); the best 100% record of any player in Pirates’ PSL history.

Sekhukhune’s Double Delight – Winner

2 – Sekhukhune United beat Kaizer Chiefs home and away in the league this season, their first ever league double against any top-flight opponent.

PSL Teams Away In CAF – Winner

Sundowns’ 4-1 win was the most comfortable of all 16 teams still involved in CAF competitions, but Marumo Gallants’ 1-1 draw in Egypt is not a result to be sniffed at. It would have been a 100% win record for PSL teams had the hosts not equalised in added time, but overall it was an impressive weekend on the continent.

Losers

Cape Town City’s Wastefulness – Loser

City have opened the scoring in three of their last four games (the 4th game was goalless). Yet, they have dropped points in all three. It’s a recurring pattern that has all but ended their hopes of CAF football next season. They may just have to settle for a Top 8 spot.

19 – City have dropped more points from leading positions than any other side this season (19).

Maritzburg United – Loser

One win from nine games is not the kind of form any team would be proud of. It’s certainly not the form a team needs when fighting relegation

Kaizer Chiefs – Loser

The league title has long been decided, and the last 10 games of the season are the perfect opportunity for teams to leave their fans with some hope for the next campaign. Orlando Pirates, SuperSport, Golden Arrows & Marumo Gallants would be included in a list of teams currently doing that. Chiefs won’t. They would have wanted to end the season stronger, especially given that they are 180 minutes away from lifting a trophy in the Nedbank Cup. But this is the worst time for fluctuating results. The grimmest aspect of Sunday’s defeat was that Chiefs became the first team to hand Sekhukhune a league double. One double defeat is not the end of the world, but many in a short space of time may be a worry.

5 – Chiefs have suffered double defeats to five teams in the last two seasons, more double defeats than they suffered in the 12 seasons before (4 since 2009/10).